How many time have you geared up to work on an important project…. and then someone walks in and starts chatting? Do you ask them to leave? Why aren’t they reading your body language? Maybe you are actually glad for the distraction?

Here is a page of easy to use tips to keep distractions, of the people variety, to a minimum when trying to get your work done. It’s from the website GetMoreDone.com.

I particularly like the 5th one in the first section:
“Inform co-workers or subordinates that you generally like to come in at perhaps 8:00 am, and work on your own until 9:30 am. Only then do you accept meetings.”

By setting a policy like this you are encouraging discipline in yourself and providing a great example for your colleagues. It shows you are taking your work seriously and recognize that some times are good for collaboration and some are not.

These techniques can be used to protect your personal Daily Time sessions as well.